NAIROBI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Ministry of Health said Friday that it will enhance partnerships with industry to boost mental wellness in the workplace and curb suicides and depression, which negatively impact economic productivity.
Debra Mulongo Barasa, cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Health, said that the government has prioritized mental health in the workplace, recognizing its pivotal role in improving economic outcomes for the country.
Speaking at a forum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Barasa said that 3.7 million Kenyans out of a national workforce of about 24.9 million are living with a mental disorder, and alcoholism and drug abuse have worsened mental health issues among working adults.
She said that a government-appointed task force on mental health in 2020 identified workplace-related challenges as major risk factors for mental disorders among employed adults in Kenya.
"Mental health problems not only affect individuals but also impact families, caregivers, colleagues, communities, and society as a whole," Barasa said.
She cited the Kenyan Mental Health Investment Case of 2021, which found that mental health conditions cost the country's economy about 62 billion Kenyan shillings (about 480.6 million U.S. dollars), or 0.6 percent of GDP, in 2020.
According to Barasa, the bulk of these economic losses was attributed to absenteeism and the costs associated with treating depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, and alcohol and substance abuse.
Barasa stressed the importance of the government and industry partners scaling up investments in workplace mental health, as the socio-economic benefits are significant.
She also said that Kenya's mental health action plan for 2021 to 2025, along with the 2020 task force report, prioritizes increasing access to mental health services in the workplace.
Establishing and operationalizing workplace mental wellness programs across key economic sectors is a government priority to foster productivity and reduce employee stress, Barasa said.
"Workplaces are key avenues for integrating mental health interventions," she added, noting that the Ministry of Health has developed Kenya's inaugural guidelines on workplace mental wellness. ■
